Widener University Commonwealth Law School

Widener University Commonwealth Law School (also known as Widener Law Commonwealth), located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is one of two separate ABA-accredited law schools of Widener University.[4] It was founded in 1989 as an expansion of Widener University's law school in Wilmington, Delaware. It awards the Juris Doctor degree in its full-time and part-time programs and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS).

For the Delaware school, see Widener University Delaware Law School.
Widener University Commonwealth Law School
Parent schoolWidener University
Established1989
School typePrivate law school
Parent endowment$91,000,000[1]
DeanChristian Johnson
LocationHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Enrollment316[2]
Faculty15[2]
USNWR rankingFull-Time: 146 (tie)[3]
Part-Time: 53 (tie)[3]
Websitecommonwealthlaw.widener.edu

History

The Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg was founded in 1989, as an expansion of Widener University's existing law school in Wilmington, Delaware. Anthony J. Santoro, who served as Dean of law from 1983–1992, felt that there was a need for legal education in Harrisburg, the capital city of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[5] The law school became one of two law school campuses operated by Widener University.[4]

On July 1, 2015, the two campuses separated into two distinct law schools that operate independently of each other, but remain part of the Widener University.[6] Each law school has its own dean, faculty, students, curriculum, and accreditation. The first Dean of the renamed Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg was Christian A. Johnson. The law school chose the name Commonwealth to reflect its mission and ties to the Pennsylvania government and in recognition of Pennsylvania as one of four commonwealths in the nation.[4]

Campus
Widener Law Commonwealth Classroom Building
Widener Law Commonwealth Administration Building
Widener Law Commonwealth Student Organizations Building
Widener Law Commonwealth Clinics Office

Located in Pennsylvania's capital of Harrisburg, the campus spans 19 acres and includes 4 academic and administrative building as well as recreation and parking areas. The law library houses significant regional legal collections.[7]

Academics

Specialized programs

Widener Law Commonwealth offers four specialized programs:[7]

  • Law and Government Institute
  • Environmental Law and Sustainability Center
  • Business Advising Program
  • Public Interest Initiative

Certificate programs

Widener Law Commonwealth offers certificate programs in the following areas:[8]

  • Administrative/Constitutional Law Certificate Program
  • Advocacy Certificate Program
  • Business Advising Certificate Program
  • Environmental Law Certificate Program
  • Legislation Certificate Program

Central Pennsylvania Law Clinics

Widener Law Commonwealth operates the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinics (CPLC) which provide legal services to the local community. The CPLC runs four clinics:[9]

  • Administrative Law Clinic
  • Consumer Law Clinic
  • Elder Law Clinic
  • Family Justice Clinic

Dauphin County Bar Association

Beginning in 2014, the law school created the a joint venture with the Dauphin County Bar Association, to create a legal incubator program. The program is housed within the Dauphin County Bar Association's office while Widener provides legal education and support. The program's mission is to allow new graduates the resources, space, and training needed to create new solo law firms which benefit the local community.[10][11]

Dual degrees

Widener Law Commonwealth offers two dual degree programs:[7]

Bar pass rates

Below are the Ultimate Bar Passage rates from the law school's ABA reports:[12]

  • 2017 graduating class: 87.30%
  • 2016 graduating class: 95.65%
  • 2015 graduating class: 95.12%

Employment

According to the American Bar Association's Employment Reports, 75% of the law school's 2018 graduating class is employed in Pennsylvania and the largest employment type (22% of graduates) is state and federal judicial clerkships.[13]

Admissions

The law school offers several 3+3 early admissions programs with partner schools:

Notable alumni
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References
  1. Palochko, Jaqueline (1 February 2019). "Which Pennsylvania college has the largest endowment?". The Morning Call. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  2. "2018 ABA 509 Required Disclosures Widener Law Commonwealth". ABA Required Diclosures. American Bar Association. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  3. "Widener University Commonwealth". US News and World Report. US News and World Report. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  4. Blumenthal, Jeff (27 March 2015). "Philadelphia-area law school takes unusual step, will split in two". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  5. "Widener University celebrates the legacy of former law dean". Widener University News. September 11, 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  6. McKelvey, Wallace (27 March 2015). "Widener University separates its Harrisburg and Delaware law schools". Penn Live. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  7. "Widener University Commonwealth Law School". LSAC Official Guide to Law Schools. Law School Admission Council. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  8. "Certificate Programs". Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  9. "Central Pennsylvania Law Clinics | Widener Law Commonwealth | Harrisburg, PA". Widener Law Commonwealth. Widener University. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  10. University, Widener Law Commonwealth | Harrisburg, PA | Widener. "Widener Incubator Program Helps Launch New Lawyers in Harrisburg · Widener Law Commonwealth | Harrisburg, PA". Widener Law Commonwealth | Harrisburg, PA | Widener University. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  11. "Base · Law Office of Jason R Carpenter". Law Office of Jason R Carpenter. Retrieved 2016-01-24.
  12. "ABA Bar Passage Outcomes". Bar Passage Report. American Bar Association. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  13. "Employment Summary Reports". Section of Legal Education - Employment Summary Reports. American Bar Association. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  14. "Law Admissions Partnership Programs | Widener Law Commonwealth". Widener Law Commonwealth. Widener University. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  15. "Law Early Admissions Program". Elizabethtown College. Elizabethtown College. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  16. "Juris Doctorate Partnership with Widener University". Cabrini University. Cabrini University. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  17. "Law school forges agreement with Wilson College that allows students to earn JD in six years". Widener University Commonwealth Law School. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  18. "York County District Attorney Honored with Excellence in Public Service Award". Widener Law Commonwealth. Widener University. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  19. "Alumni Spotlight – Hon. P. Kevin Brobson | Widener Law Commonwealth". Widener Law Commonwealth. Widener University. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  20. "Who Is Ultimately Responsible for Public Health?" (PDF). Widener Law. Vol. 14 no. 2. Fall 2007. p. 3. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  21. "Widener Law Commonwealth alum announced as White House counsel". Widener Law Commonwealth. Widener University. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  22. "Second Widener Law Commonwealth alum announced to White House legal team". WPMT Fox43. Harrisburg, PA. 24 January 2017. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  23. "Graduation Speaker Chosen". Widener University. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  24. "Chief Judge Henry W. Van Eck". US Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Pennsylvania. US Courts. Retrieved 12 March 2020.

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